December 11, 2019
The DC Breeze today announced that Sean Banks has been named General Manager, becoming the first full-time GM in team history. Banks joins the Breeze after serving in various operational and management roles for the Bowie Baysox, University of Maryland, Pittsburgh Pirates, and three other Minor League Baseball teams over the past six years.
“We are thrilled to announce Sean Banks for this critical leadership role as we head into our eighth season representing the District and DMV area in the American Ultimate Disc League,” announced Don Grage, DC Breeze Managing Partner. “Sean’s track record of success in all facets of this position made him the clear choice among multiple very qualified candidates. We know Sean will hit the ground running as we welcome him to the Breeze family, and we look forward to an amazing 2020 and beyond!”
While Banks has spent the majority of his career working for Major and Minor League Baseball teams around the world, including four months in the Dominican Republic, he has been an ultimate advocate and player since he was introduced to the sport at church camp when he was eight years old.
“This opportunity is a dream come true for me, and I could not be more grateful that Breeze ownership has put their trust in me to lead the team into the future. I look forward to becoming a true part of the ultimate community in Washington, D.C., across the U.S., and abroad as we work to solidify ourselves as valuable community partners, while growing our sport and expanding our fan base,” Banks said.
Banks will oversee all business operations of the Breeze, focusing on many areas including partnerships, ticket sales, merchandise and game day operations.
“I’m going to come in and hustle every day because Breeze players, staff, volunteers, and especially our fans deserve 110% effort,” Banks added. “At the end of the day, we have a really exciting story to tell, and the sky’s the limit for how far we can rise. You’re going to want to be a part of this – let’s go Breeze!”
About Sean Banks
Sean Banks brings extensive knowledge and experience in the business of professional sports, serving in game day management, ticket operations, and corporate partnership roles for multiple minor and major league teams.
Banks got his start in sports as an operations intern with the Evansville Otters in the summer of 2014 prior to obtaining his first of two degrees from the University of Evansville in music that winter. After spending summer 2015 with the Beloit Snappers, he lived for a brief time in Santo Domingo, D.R. to complete his second degree in Spanish and absorb the incredible baseball culture of the country. While there, he spent time at the Kansas City Royals baseball academy in a neighborhood just outside of Boca Chica teaching players about U.S. culture and customs and ways to improve their English skills.
Upon return to the U.S. in December 2015, Banks accepted an offer with the Pittsburgh Pirates to be an operations assistant, and was promoted to a corporate partnerships role only nine months later. During his time in Florida, he also worked for the Bradenton Marauders, who play throughout the summer once Spring Training has come to a close. While with the Pirates and Marauders, he coordinated the activation of all corporate partnership elements for national and local partners and also oversaw box office operations.
Banks moved to the Washington, D.C. area after his fiancée, Kathryn, obtained a position with the National Symphony Orchestra in late 2017. He joined the Baysox after a brief stint for University of Maryland Athletics and now takes the reigns for the 2020 DC Breeze season and beyond. He and Kathryn reside in Bowie, Maryland.
About The DC Breeze
DC Breeze Ultimate, LLC (DC Breeze) is a professional ultimate disc organization and member of the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL), the first and largest professional ultimate league in the world. Founded in 2012, the AUDL consists of 22 teams located across the USA and Canada. The DC Breeze began play in 2013, and have qualified for the postseason in five of the last six seasons. The Breeze play their home games at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. The mission of the team and the league is to increase the visibility of one of North America’s fastest growing sports by creating fun, family-friendly events that showcase the excitement and athleticism of ultimate being played at its highest level and providing inspiration for people of all ages to actively participate. To learn more, visit: https://thedcbreeze.com and https://facebook.com/dc.breeze.
